Key messages on the Child Rights Act passed by Parliament last year have been prepared for dissemination throughout Sierra Leone.
At a programme jointly organized by the UN children’s fund and the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children Affairs, there was deliberation on a number of issues regarding the wellbeing of Sierra Leonean children, with the aim of mechanizing a communication strategy to inform and sensitize both children and parents on the children’s right and obligations.
Mohamed Kanneh of the National Council for War-Affected Children (NaCWAC) said the act is essential for the child. He said there had been much misconception over a law he said sought to seek the welfare of children and their parents alike.
He said the development of standardized messages, with the target audience in mind, would help people to properly digest the content of the Act.
An official from the Ministry of children affairs, Francis Lahai, recalled efforts made by government in the past to put together the document for the protection of the child which he said resulted in the enactment of the Child Rights Act.
Alison Parker, the UNICEF Communications Officer, explained that they had been assiduously working on children’s rights issues which he said received a boost with the passing of the law last year.
He said the law guarantees education, information and sensitization so that it would be discerned by all and sundry.
She maintained that much is expected from the implementing partners in taking the lead to reach out to all stakeholders, emphasising the use of standardized messages to adequately sensitize people on the law.
UNICEF Communication Specialist Nana Garbrah Aidoo extensively elaborated on “the appropriate use” of communication strategies to educate and motivate target audience to digest the content of the Act.
By Solomon Rogers
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